The Labor enquirer., 1887-11-05

|. COLORADO
system VhicA -
fellow crea&nrcaosf n
and permits mononorI G =
4 lis naturnlf o16uGo ~ Il |:I
thusnlling ths - ~ j I & ] - II1i
and bringing a1oet =; - = 81 <1611
tion. which tsnds q = = g = llvI1.
tion rates and - nazE6 II y i - ~ 49,
the industrial aaye = t5 ~ ~, ~
by his toll Z e. :. : s>' $ - 3. & l'I'
Holding, moreover Ut ~ advozn1 - =
arising nom social growth ~ nnsai
belong to society q lazuo, - - thoshoa.
ition OF the system vhieh nh 81 49,
cent inventions = ~ roil1un1 ma toaes1Sl1
means for the oppresuion - tho poop61 "a
the aggrandisement q a aRistocracy 81
wealth and power.
We declare the truepufpooe a Government
to be the maintenanes q that anered right q
property which givesto evszY ons opportn-
nifty to employ his labor and security shat he
shall enjoy its fruits; 70 prsvent the stsung
from Expressing the weog and TIE unscxupu-
lous from robbing the honest; and 70 do Ior
the equal benent OF al such thines q can Be
better done by organized sociesy than by In
dividuals; and We aim at the abolition Of I'll
laws which give 70 any claa of citizens IN ad-
vantage. either judicial. financial, industrial
or political. that are not equally shared BY
all others.
We call upon allwho seek the emancipation
oflabor and who would make the American
Union and its component states democratic
commonwealths OF really me- and indepeud-
ent citizens, to ignore all minor differences
and join with us in orsanixing great na-
tional paaty on this brosd platform Of nat
ural right and equal Justice.
We do not aim ct securing any forced
equality in the distribution Of wealth. We
do not propose that the state shall attempt to
control production. conduct distribution, or
In anywise interfere with the equal rights Of
Others. Nor do we propose that the state
shall take possession OF land and either work
1t or rent 1t out.
What we propose Is not the disturbing Of
any man in his holding or title, but by abol-
ishing alltaxes on industry or IT. products
TO leave to the producer the full fruits Of his
exertion, and by taxation Of land values to
the exclusion OF improvements, to devote to
the common use those values which, arising
not from exertion Of the individual, but nom
growth of society, belong TO the community
as whole. This increased taxation Of land,
not according to Its area, but according to it,
value, must, while relieving working farmers
and small homestead owners OF the undue
burdens now imposed upon them, make It
Improbable to hold land for speculation. ana
thus throw open abundant opportunities for
the employment of labor and the building up
OF homes.
While thus simplifying government, BY
doing away with horde Of ofllcials REQUIRED
by the present system Of taxntion, with its
Incentives TO fraud and corruption. we would
further promote hecommon veal and fur
iher secure equal rights ofall by placing un-
der public control such agencies a are In
their nature monopolies. We would have
our municipalities supply their inhabitants
with water, light and heat; we would have
the general government issue all money with.
out the intervention Of banks; we wouldadd
postal telegraph system and postal savings
banks to the postal service, and would as-
sumo public control and ownership OF those
iron roads which have become hiRhvays of
modern commerce.
While declaring the foregoing TO be the fun
damental principles and aims Of the United
LABOR Party, and while conscious that no re-
form can give efiectual and permanent relief
TO labor that does not involve legal recoeni-
ton OF 9qual rights 10 natural opportunities.
we nevertheless. as measures Of relief from
some of the evil effects Of ignoring those
rights, favor such legislation e. may tend TO
reduce the hours Of labor, to prevent employ.
ment OF children Of tender years, to avoid
competition Of convict labor with honest in.
dustry, to secure sanitary inspection of tene
ments, factories and mines, and to put an
end to the abuse ofthe conspiracy laws.
We desire also TO simplify he procedure of
our courts, and diminish the expenses of le-
gal proceedings, that the poor may be placed
on an equality with the rich, and the long
delays which now result in such scandalous
miscarriages of justice may be prevented:
and since the ballot is the only means by
which, In our republic, the redress of political
and social grievances is to be sought. We
especially and emphatically declare for the
adoption Of what is known as the "Austra.
Ian system of voting" in order that the
effectual secrecy Of the ballot and the relief
ofcandidates for public ofIices nom the heavy
expenses now imposed upon them may pre.
vent bribery and intimidation, do away with
the practical discrimination In favor Of the
rich and the interruptions, and lessen the
pernicious influence Of money In politics.
In support Of these aims We solicit the CO.
operation Of all patriotic citizens Who. sick
Of the degradation Of politics, des,re by con.
stitutional methods to establish justice. 70
eliberty, to extend the spirit offrater.
nifty. and to elevate humanity.
PLATFORM OF THE PROGRESSIVE
LABOR PARTY.
At a meeting held in Webster
Hall. New York. September g.,
representatives from labor oreani-
zations1 throughout the state of
New York unanimously adopted
the following platform of princi-
pies: